Lady Maroons earn first win, sink Lady Dolphins

The University of the Philippines Lady Maroons bounced back from their opening game loss against Bureau of Customs with a dominant win over the Philippine Coast Guard Lady Dolphins, 25-10, 25-19, 25-15, in the 13th Shakey’s VLeague Reinforced Conference, Saturday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Diana Carlos paced UP with 19 points off 16 attacks, while Nicole Tiamzon supplied 10 in tonight’s victory.

The Lady Maroons dominated early, erupting to a 16-5 lead midway into the opening set. Coast Guard managed to punch in a few points, but they could not handle UP’s attacks and service aces, as the Lady Maroons coasted to a 1-0 set lead, 25-10.

With errors piling up, UP’s pace slowed down in the second set, helping Coast Guard to inch within striking distance. From a slim 19-17 lead, the Lady Maroons, via their off-the-block hits and errors from the Lady Dolphins, ended the set with a 6-2 spurt to go up 2-0, 25-19.

Now ahead by two sets, UP played all-out in the third and final set, stepping on the gas to leave the hapless Coast Guard at bay. From a ten-point, 19-9 lead late in the frame, the Lady Maroons pulled away and never looked back to earn their first win of the conference, 25-15.

“Medyo okay din kasi na-expose yung bench for confidence,” said UP assistant coach Monica Ortiz in tonight’s victory.

No one from the Coast Guard side scored over five points. Grenlen Malapit scored just five off four attacks.

Both teams’ next matches will be on Monday, October 10, still at the same venue. UP (1-1) will aim to post their second win in a row against fellow UAAP team University of Santo Tomas Tigresses at 4PM. The still-winless Coast Guard (0-2), meanwhile, will face a tough team in Pocari Sweat at 6PM.

The Scores:

UP (3) – Carlos 19, Tiamzon 10, Bersola 9, Dorog 4, Layug 3, Chopitea 3, Buitre 3, Cailing 3, Ramos 2, Gaiser L, Estranero L.

Coast Guard (0) – Malapit 5, Caraan 4, Cecilio 3, Mea 3, Maderazo 3, Eniong 3, Dawson 3, Garcia 1, Castor 0, Pesebre 0, Querijero L, Tabion L.